Collapsible paper container



QOLLAPSIBQE PAPER CONTAINER Filed Aug. 19, 1940 2 h ets-Sheet 1 5., a-ganumm 2,321,139

INVENTOR fdwmd A. ruger I BY June 8, 1943. E. H. G RUGER 2 9 COL LAP SIBLE PAPER CONTAINER Filed Aug. '19. 1940 2 sneets -sneet 2 INVENTOR idrtgg'dlz. Gnger TTORNEY 'atented June 8, 1943 'UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,321,139 counrsmu: raran common Edward H. Grnger, Seattle, Application Au u 19, 1940, Serial No. 353,15il 1 Claims (01. zea-sn This invention relates to collapsible paper containers of a form adapted to be used for liquids, such as milk, cream and the like.

Containers of this type made from paper or cardboard or the like are usually supplied to the merchandising user, as a dairy, in a collapsed form. Such user is usually provided with machines for setting up and treating the containers with a liquid proofing material, such as hot paraffine, which is used to render the containers more liquid tight and more highly non-absorbents It is desirable that a paper container of this type be constructed so that it is easily and posi tively rendered liquid proof by the application of a minimum amount of liquid proofing material. To this end the container should not have any cuts extending entirely to the corners, especially below the liquid level, and it should have a top forming portion that seats tightly when closed. Also it is desirable that a container of this type should be strong and substantial and at the same time be economical in. construction. It is also very desirable that a container of this type should be provided with spout forming means that is readily opened in the first instance to form a pouring spout, that is capable of being repeatedly opened and closed, and that substantially seals each time it is closed so as to protect the contents of the container.

The present invention meets all of .theseIE- quirements by providing a liquid tight paper con tainer with simple and may be opened and closed repeatedly and that will substantially seal each time it is closed and by providing an inexpensive container that is free from weak points where leakage might occur, that is strong and durable and well reinforced to maintain a proper and attractive shape and that is formed in such a manner as material.

The present invention meets all of these requirements by providing a liquid tight pap r container with simple and eflicient spout means that may be opened and closed repeatedly and that will substantially seal each time it is closed and by providing an inexpensive container that is free -from weak points where leakage might occur, that is strong and durable and well reinforced to maintain a proper and attractive shape and that is forme in such a manner as to avoid waste of material.

It is an object of this invention to provide a paper or cardboard liquid container having an integrally formed pouring spout that may be opened and closed at will to avoid. waste of efficient spout means that spoutin such a manner that it will always be urged either into a fully open position or a tightly closed position by the resiliency of parts of the container and will always substantially seal when, closed to thereby protect the contents of the container and prevent spilling of the liquid if the container is handled after it has been opened.

It is another object of this invention to provide a pare or cardboard liquid container that is folded so as to form both a horizontal and a vertical reinforcing means at two sides thereof, the horizontal reinforcing means helping to keep the two sides of the-container flat and tending to prevent them from bulging, thereby imparting to the containe a better shape and amore attracfive appearance and providing flat sides whereon printed matter and illustrations can be displayed without distortion, and both the horizontal and the vertical reinforcing means helping to strengthen the sides of the container and render it more highly resistant to crushing stresses.

Another objectof this invention is to provide a collapsible paper-or cardboard liquid container having a bottom portion that is readily sealed and rendered liquid tight, and that is not liable to leak at the corners; i

The above mentioned general objects or my invention, together with others inherent in the same, are attained by the device illustrated in the following drawings, the same being a preferred exemplary form of embodiment of my invention, throughout which drawings like reference numerals indicate like parts:

Figure l is a plan view oia paper or cardboard blank employed in the construction of my con. tamer showing by broken lines the scoring of the blank to provide for folding;

Fig. 2 shows the blank partly folded in the proces of tanning the container;

' Fig. 3 shows the blank folded and the bottom. iiaps secured in place to form a completed container ready for the reception of liquid;

Fig. 4 shows the container with the top portion closed as it would appear after being filled, closed and fastened;

Fig. 5 shows the container with the top andthe pouring spout open for pouring;

Fig. 5 is a plan view looking downon a closed container in which the spout forming portion has been torn along perforated lines so that said spout lorming portion may be opened and closed, the spout being shown closed; j

Rig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the manner-"oi opening and closing ofthe spout and to construct'this forming portion;

closed the top of I Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view showing the spout forming portion open;

Fig. 9 is a vertical medial section through the container taken substantially on broken line 9-4 of Fig. showing one spout forming portion open and the other spout forming portion closed; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are fragmentary sectional views taken substantially on broken lines Ill-l0 and ||l| of Fig. 6.

The blank from which this container is made tab.

is of one piece construction, as shown in Figure 1, and is scored or creased along certain lines to facilitate correct folding of the same. This blank comprises a piece of paper or cardboard of generally rectangular shape scored along four upright lines |2 to mark the four vertical edges or corners of the container and to, provide four main sections and a narrow edge tab or section. The four main sections comprise four side portions l3, |4, l5 and I6; four bottom forming tabs l1, l8, l8 and connected with the respective side portions l3, l4, l5 and 6, and four top forming tabs or extensions 2|, 22, 23 and 24 also connected with the respective side portions I 3,

l4, l5 and I6. Two score lines 25 and 26 mark the boundaries between the side portions l3, l4, I5 and I6 and the bottom forming tabs and the top forming tabs respectively. These score lines 25 and 26 are at right angles to the lines |2 and mark the edge folds at the bottom and top respectively of the container. Another horizontal score line 21, parallel to lines 25 and 26 is provided near the top edge of the blank. All of the score lines are of the type conventionally provided in paper or cardboard or pasteboard to facilitate folding or bending of the same along predetermined lines.

The bottom forming tab |'|,\that is connected I with portion I3, is longer than the other bottom forming tabs. The bottom forming tabs l8 and 20 are scored along inclined intersecting lines 26 extending between the upper comers of the tabs and points of intersection medially of the tabs and substantially on their lower edges.

The narrow edge tab or sealing flap 30 is con-' nected with one of the edge sections such as section |3||2| and extends the full width of such section.

The top forming tab 2| is provided with .a fold over extension 30 marked off from the tab 2| by a score line 3|. The top forming tab 23 is provided with two fold over extensions 32 and 33. The fold over extension 32 is marked off from the top forming tab 23 by score line 34 and lines of perforations 35. The two fold over extensions 32 and 33 are marked off from each other by score line 36. The top forming tabs 2| and 23 are each provided with inclined score lines 31 extending from the lower corners of said tabs convergently upward and intersecting the score line 21 at spaced apart points. Upright score lines 38 extend from the points where the score lines 31 intersect the score line 21 upwardly through the fold over extension 30 of flap 2| and the fold over extensions 32 and 33 of the flap 23.

The tabs 22 and 24 have substantially identical score marks. Each of said tabs has two inclined score lines 40 extending from the lower corners' of the tab inwardly and upwardly to a point 4| midway between the two sides of the tab and a short distance above the score line 26. Each tab 22 and 24 also has a score mark 42 extending from the point 4| to the upper edge of the tab and parallel to the score lines I2. Each'tab 22 and 24 also has score lines 43 and 44 in substan- The score lines 42, 43, 45 form the boundaries of upright sections 41 of material that serve as vertical reinforcing fins and as fingerhold means which may be grasped to open and close the spout. The score lines I2, 44, 45 form the boundaries of spout forming members 48 that cooperate with members 2| in holding the spout either in a fully open or'a snugly closed position. The score lines 40-46-26 mark the boundaries of a flattened equilateral triangle that extends inwardly at an incline from the adjacent wall I4 or l5 and provides a reinforcing member when the container is set up.

The upper edge of each tab 22 and 24 is slightly inclined with the medial point 46 projecting the furthest upwardly so that the said upper edge has the shape of a very much flattened gable. When the parts are folded these upwardly protruding upper edges are parallel with the adjoining parts, as shown at the right hand side of Fig. 9.

To form a container out of the blank shown in Figure 1, the said blank is first folded at substantially right angles along lines l2 into substantially rectangular shape. The edge tab or sealing flap 29 is positioned inside of the section |3|'|-2| and securely glued or cemented there- .to. This leaves the container in substantially the form shown in Fig. 2, except that theend forming tabs'will not be bent inwardly along lines 43-44-45 as much as therein shown, but will be more nearly flat. The bottom end forming tabs l8 and 20 are then bent inwardly along the inclined lines 28 and line 25 in a well known manner, and at the same time the tab I9 is folded over the inwardly bent tabs I 8 and 20 and the longer tab I1 is folded over the tabs l8, l9 and 20 and all of these parts are securely cemented to provide a container of substantially the shape shown in Fig. 3 with a closed bottom and open top and ready to be paraflined and filled. When the tabs l8 and 20 are folded along inclined lines 28 and line 25 and said two tabs l8 and 20 are simultaneously folded toward each other, the outermost edges of these tabs will be brought into substantially abutting relation along a medial line ex tending crosswise of the container bottom.

It is to be noted that the blank is not cut at the locations where the bottom corners of the container are formed but that on all sides the-bottom forming tabs l1, l8, l9 and 20 are folded inwardly along the scored line 25, thereby forming the corners of the container from uncut integral parts of the material at the locations where the scored line 25 intersects the scored lines I2. This provides a container with strong tight bottom corners which do not require sealing, thus overcoming a weakness common to this type of liquid container made from cardboard.

4 When the bottom tabs are folded as above described, the edges of the tabs l8 and 20 meet in a straight line across the bottom and the tab poured out. After the apex shape shown in Fig. 3, and parafined or similarly treated to render it liquid tight it is ready to be filled and closed and sealed. In filling, liquid may be introduced to a level far enough above the score line 26 so that when the container is closed the liquid will substantially fill the same. The top forming tabs 2l-22-23-2l are closed by bending the tabs 22 and 2t inwardly along the score lines 40-43-Il-45and outwardly along the score line 42 and by simultaneously bending the tabs 2| and 23 inwardly along lines 26 imtil the fold over tabs 30 and 32-33 are brought together at the apex. When this is done the portions 41 of material lying between score lines I2 and score lines 43-45 and also the portions is of material lying between score lines I2-ll-l5 and 23 tends to move the spout the corresponding portions lying between score;

lines l2-3I-38- will fold together in accordion fashion. Also a fold in excess of a right angle will be made along score lines 40 and the adjacent score lines 26, asbestshowninFig. 9,andareinforcement will be provided at this location across the side of the container by the triangular section of material boimded by score lines M and 26. This reinforcement will tend to hold the side of the container fiat and will offer resistance to both bulging and crushing. Keeping the sides of the container flat makes for the display of reading matter and ifiustrations and avoids distortion of visual matter displayed on said sides.

After the fold over flaps 3B and 32-33 have been brought together, the flap '33 is folded over the flap 30 along scored 30-32 and 33 are then folded over along lines 3I-34-35 into a positionas shown in Fla. 4..

to 11. This last folding over of flaps so-sz-as provides an apex portion that efiectively closes the top of the container. This apex portion is preferably secured in the closed position by one or more staples 39 or by an equivalent means. Obviously the folded over top portions have a greater thickness or more plies of material-near the ends of the container as shown in Fig. 11, taken on line H-l'l of Fig. 6. thanthey do intermediate the two end portions, such as on. line iii-l0 of Fig. 6, which is shown in Fig. 10.

when the-fold over tabs are completely folded over, the lines of perforations 35 will lie along the apex portions of the fold near the respective ends, as shown in Figs. 5 andG. To open the container one end portion is first tom along the line of these perforations 35. This oanbe done by inserting the thumb and finger on opposite sides of the folded upright portions 41 and pressing upwardly and outwardly or it can be done by an upward strok with a sharp w The parts 41 which form forcing fin are grasped with thetiunnb and finger and pulled outwardly from the position shown in Fig. 6 throug the position shown in Fig. I to the position shown in Fig. 8 and in Figs. 5 and 9. This allows the liquid preferably from one of the corners of the spout opening thus formed. The spout opening may be closed by graspmgthefinmembersil and 'pushingtheminwardlyfromthepositionshown 'inFig.8to

the position shown in Fig. 6. This closing the container and protecting the contents thereof after said opened and part of the liquid portion of the containeristorn along the perforatedlinesfiitwill be yieldingly held closed by the main top forming portions 2| and 23 which will hav to provides for the remainder of container has been them more suitable the external upri t rainalong scored lines 31 before the spout can be opened but which are not bent along these scored lines 31 until spout portion is opened the spout forming portions 8 operate like. toggle members and bend the inclined top forming sections 2| and 23 along the lines 31-38 in a manner best shown in Fig. '7. When the portions 48 pass a position of alignment with each other in their outward movement, the resiliency of the top forming members 2! and forming portions 48 into the open position shown in Figs. 5 and 8 and to yieldingly hold the spout open. When the spout is closed, after having been open, the resiliency of portions 2| and 23 will always tend to hold the several parts closed-and will thus form a "substantial seal to protect the liquid in the container.

lineSGandallthreeflaps While the spout forming parts are shown in duplicate at two sides of the container, it will be understood that they may be provided at one side of the container only.

The fin parts 41 also form an upright reinforcing means that helps to prevent the container from being collapsed by downward pres-- sure such as may occur if a plurality of the filled containers are placed one on top of the other. If the top portions of the containers are crushed down to any substantial extent when, the containers are full of liquid, the liquid is liable to be'forced out at the top of the containers. The vertical reinforcing provided by the fin members 41 helps to prevent this.

When the top forming end sections 22 and 24 are fully folded into closed position they form gables at two sides of the container, while the sections 21 and 23 form two inclined top portions that converge to the folded over apex portion.

Obviously, changes may be made 'in the form, dimensions and arrangements of the parts of my invention, without departing from. the principle thereofjthe above setting forth only preferred forms of embodiment. j

I claim: V

1. A paper container for liquid comprising a rectangular receptacle; two sloping top members converging to an apex; and two gable shaped end members each folded along M shaped lines and along a medial vertical line that bisectsthe M shaped folds providing each gable member with two inwardly and upwardly inclined triangular sections and an upright reinforcing medial member. V r

2. A paper container for liquid comprising a rectangular receptacle having two oppositely disposed sloping top members converging to an apex and folded over rations parallelto the apex in the folded over tobepom'edoutfreely' and folded over at the apex be bent 15 the 'ends portions adjacent the ends of the apex-to define lines of tear; and two gableshaped end members each folded along M medial vertical line that bisects the M shaped folds providing each gable member with two in-' wardly and upwardly inclined triangularsections and a medially disposed upright finmember and providing spout means adapted to be opened and closed by pulling outwardly and pushing in wardly on said finmember after said apex portion has been torn along the perforated lines.

3. A paper container for liquid comprising a rectangular receptacle having two oppositely disposed sloping top members converging to an apex and. having perforations in the folded over apex'portions adjacent of the apex to define lines of tear; and

the spout is opened. When the at'the apex and having perfoshaped lines and along .a-

two gable shaped end members each folded along M shaped lines and folded along a medial verticalline that bisects the M shaped lines of fold and folded along the lines of a flattened isosceles base triangle having its extremities and medial point coinciding respectively with the lower outside extremities and lower medial-extremity of the M shaped lines of fold, said folds providing an external upright reinforcing fin and providing spout forming means adapted to be opened and closed by pulling outwardly and pushing inwardly on said reinforcing fin member after the apex portion has been torn along the perforated lines and providing a reinforcing base member di s-- posed transversely of the side of the receptacle at the base of the gable shaped end member and at an incline to the adjacent wall.

4. A paper container for liquid comprising a rectangular receptacle having two oppositely disposed sloping top members converging to an apex; and two gable shaped end members each folded along M shaped lines and folded along a medial vertical line that bisects the M shaped lines of fold and folded along the lines of a.

flattenedvisosceles base triangle with its extremities and medial point coinciding respectively with the two outside extremities and the medial extremity at the bottom of the M shaped linesof fold, the flattened base triangle extending in a generally inward direction from the adjacent container wall and providing a reinforcing member disposed transversely of a side of the receptacle at the base of the gable shaped end member to resist crushing stresses and prevent bulging ofthe adjacent container wall.

. 5. A paper container for liquid comprising a rectangular receptacle having two oppositely disposed sloping top members converging to an apex and folded over at the apex and having perforations in the folded over apex portions adjacent the ends of the apex to define lines of tear; and two gable shaped end members each folded along M shaped lines and folded along a medial vertical line that bisects the M shaped lines of fold and folded along the lines of a flattened isosceles base triangle having its extremities and medial point coinciding respectively with the outside extremities and medial extremity at the bottom of the M shaped lines of fold, said folds providing an outwardly-protruding upright fin member and providing two lateral spout forming members that are movable between a closed spout position in which they are in engagement with the sloping top members of the container and an open spout position in which they are clear of said sloping top members by force applied to said upright fin member after the apex portion has been torn along said perforations, said lateral spout forming members having a toggle like mode of operation whereby they are urged into a fully open or a tightly closed position by the resilient pressure of said inclined side members.

6. A paper container for liquid comprising a rectangular receptacle; two sloping top members converging at an apex; and two gable shaped diametrically oppositely disposed end members each comprising two inwardly and upwardly inclined triangular sections and an intermediate vertical triangular section therebetween extending from the bases of said triangular sections to the apex of said two top members.

7. A paper container for liquid comprising a rectangular receptacle; two sloping top members converging at an apex; and two gable shaped end members each comprising a downward and inwardly inclined horizontal triangular section, 

